Author: Gospel Folio Press

Genesis 20:1-21:34; Job 23:1-24:25; Matthew 11:2-30

(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) John 11:2

The parentheses in our text illuminate to us that this was the character-defining experience in the life of Mary. The event referenced separated her from all other Marys. It reached a much higher level even than the mountain top experience of her “[sitting] at Jesus’ feet and [hearing] his word” (Luke 10:39). Her action, though criticized by some, was an act of worship—an act of devotion and occupation with the character of her Master. She humbly anointed
His feet. What a lesson in what God values most in our lives! —L. Cain

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath.  —William R. Featherston

Genesis 19:1-38; Job 22:1-30; Matthew 10:24-11:1

He is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. Mark 16:6

The empty tomb cannot help but bring to mind our Lord’s shame as He carried the burden of our sins from Calvary to where no man had been laid. But He is risen! He is no longer there! Having blotted out the ordinances against us, He broke death’s embrace, releasing the grave’s grip and lifted us above the joyless, hopeless darkness of the perishing. Our destiny was forever changed! If we then be risen with Christ, ought not our walk reflect His leading in
paths of righteousness for His name’s sake? —David J. Reed

He leadeth me! O blessed thought,
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me. —J. H. Gilmore

Genesis 18:1-33; Job 21:1-34; Matthew 10:1-23

Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this. Revelation 4:1 NKJV

Happy anticipation is the sparkling foretaste of hope. That’s why many of us spend hours lost in travel plans or preparing for a family reunion or special celebration. The joy our soul experiences when looking forward to earthly events mirrors our blessed, eternal hope. No wonder God invites us to come up and take a peek at the scene that is waiting for us! He is on the throne amidst dazzling colour and regal attendants. It is alive with pure music and light.
We’re almost there! Surely, He is coming soon! —Caroline Webb

Clothed in rainbows of living colour,
Flashes of lighting, rolls of thunder;
Blessing and honour, strength and glory, and power;
Be to You the only one who’s King. —Jennie Lee Riddle

Genesis 17:1-27; Job 20:1-29; Matthew 9:18-38

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Romans 14:19 NKJV

Do we expend every effort to do all that we can to encourage fellowship and maintain harmony among our fellow believers? Or do we seek to push our own point of view and perhaps criticize the leadership of our local church? Are we willing to be more like the Lord Jesus, who we are told “pleased not himself” (Rom. 15:3)?  May we, instead, look for opportunities to build each other up in our most holy faith and to “look out…for the interests of others” (Phil.
2:4). —Pete Smith

Make this poor self grow less and less,
Be Thou my life and aim;
O make me daily, through Thy grace,
More meet to bear Thy Name. —Johann Casper Lavater

Genesis 15:1-16:16; Job 18:1-19:29; Matthew 8:28-9:17

For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother… refresh my heart in the Lord. Philemon 1:7, 20 NKJV

Refreshing the hearts of fellow believers was no small compliment that Paul paid to Philemon. As he interacted with Christians, he brought a calm and rest to their hearts. They felt better after they were with Philemon—more hopeful and positive. Uneasiness, tensions, and anxieties subsided as he lifted their spirits by reassuring them in Christ. Do I drain or refresh others? Let someone know today that they refresh your heart. —Peter Ramsay

O teach me, Lord, that I may teach,
The precious things, Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach,
The hidden depths of many a heart. —F. R. Havergal

Genesis 13:1-14:24; Job 16:1-17:16; Matthew 8:1-27

Demas…my fellowlabourer. Philemon 1:24
Demas. Colossians 4:14
Demas hath forsaken me. 2 Timothy 4:10

These three references to Demas span a time period of five to seven years, and indicate a tragic decline in the enthusiasm and testimony of a dear brother in Christ. The Apostle Paul was a man of high standards, and to be  described by him as “my fellowlabourer” was an accolade indeed. However, the commendations that Paul gave to  others in his final greetings to the Colossians were all absent when he simply mentioned “Demas”. Before long, Demas turned his back on Paul and traded eternal reward for “this present world”. How is our devotion and commitment to the work of the Lord? —Phil Coulson

Go, labour on: spend and be spent,
Your joy to do the Father’s will. —Horatius Bonar

Genesis 11:27-12:20; Job 15:1-35; Matthew 7:7-29

And God spoke…“I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and Jacob…” Exodus 6:2-3 NKJV

Wearied from 430 years in bondage, Israel needed assurance from God and so four times in these verses He says, “I am the Lord”. He reminds them of who He is, God Almighty (vv. 2-3). He promises them redemption (v. 6), and assures them of their relationship to Him (v. 7). He pledges to them their land as a guaranteed heritage (v. 8). We too can become weary, but our promises are even greater! We are “accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6); “kept by the power of God” (1 Pet. 1:5); and have “an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1:4). Are you downhearted today? Focus and rest on His sure promises. —Jim Comte

Ev’ry promise in the Book is mine,
All are blessings of His love divine. —Author Unknown

Genesis 10:1-11:26; Job 13:1-14:22; Matthew 6:19-7:6

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory… 2 Corinthians 3:18
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.  Genesis 1:27

God created us to mirror His image in our lives. Christians are represented here, not as persons looking into a mirror, but as themselves the mirrors. First-century mirrors were not glass but metallic: bronze, silver or even gold. The metals were beaten flat and polished by friction to a high gloss. The more the polishing the clearer the reflection. God uses the trials in our lives to polish us to reflect a clearer image of Himself. —Sid Halsband

With faces open, the Lord Spirit see;
As glass reflecting, His likeness bear we. —M. C.

Genesis 8:20-9:29; Job 11:1-12:25; Matthew 6:1-18

What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad? Luke 24:17 NKJV

With sadness, the two on the road to Emmaus were discussing the recent unsettling events in Jerusalem. All their  hope had perished at the cross, when Jesus was crucified. Or so they thought. But God had raised His only Son from the dead! “He is not here, but is risen!” (Luke 24:6). Death could not hold Him and we have the full assurance of eternal life in Him. Rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ. —Annette Baal

Up from the grave He arose;
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign. —R. Lowry

Genesis 7:11-8:19; Job 9:1-10:22; Matthew 5:21-48

Father, forgive them, they know not what they do. Luke 23:34
This man hath done nothing amiss. Luke 23:41
Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23:43

It was a sombre scene on Mount Calvary. Three men hung on crosses—the Lord Jesus in the centre. During this horrendous event, the two criminals on either side of Him witnessed the glorious attributes of Jesus. They heard He could forgive sins. They saw He was sinless and that He was the giver of eternal life. One chose to trust in the Lord and be with Him in paradise. One did not and would be eternally lost in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15). What is your
choice? —Bob Cretney

Choose now, just now while the call is clear:
Tomorrow may be too late! —Harriet Fithian